Matthew Gerard Burns
Writer, Director, Choreographer, Actor, Dancer
Mattoon,IL
Summary
Dynamic theatre professional with extensive experience in directing, choreographing, and producing for various Theatrical venues. Excelled in roles from lead actor to producer, showcasing skills in musical theatre, acting, and dance instruction. Proven track record of enriching performances with diverse casts and vocal prowess, consistently elevating production quality and audience engagement.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.2009 - Current
- High School Musical - Actor (Basketball player, nerd)
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.2008 - Current
- West Side Story - Actor (Gang member)
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.2005 - Current
- Beauty and the Beast - Actor (Shepherd, Corkscrew)
Actor
Sullivan High School
01.2005 - Current
- Guys&Dolls-Actor (Benny Southstreet)
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.2004 - Current
- Pirates of Penzance - Actor (Pirate, cop)
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.2002 - Current
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - Actor (Jeb)
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.1999 - Current
- State Fair-Actor (child 1)
Frozen Jr- Choreographer
Charleston Middle School
Charleston , IL
09.2024 - 11.2024
Fall Follies: Pure Imagination (Original)
Lone Elm Room
Mattoon, IL
08.2021 - 10.2024
- Fall Follies: Pure Imagination (Original annual musical revue) - Director, Choreographer, Producer, Set Design, Performer
Pearl (A New Musical)- Director, Choreographer
Theatre In the Park
Charleston, IL
03.2024 - 08.2024
Guys and Dolls Jr- Choreographer
Charleston Middle School
Charleston , IL
01.2024 - 03.2024
Wind in the Willows
Theatre in the Park
Charleston , IL
04.2023 - 08.2023
- Wind in the Willows-Director, Choreographer, Producer, Designer
Sunday In the Park With George
Theatre in the Park
Charleston, IL
04.2022 - 08.2022
- Sunday in the Park with George - Director, Actor (Boatman)
The Christmas Gnome (Original Christmas Musical)
Lone Elm Room
Mattoon, IL
10.2021 - 12.2021
- The Christmas Gnome (Original Christmas musical) - Director, Writer, Choreographer, Producer, Set Design, Actor (Zantho)
Gillbert and Sullivans Patience
Theatre in the Park
Charleston, IL
05.2021 - 08.2021
- Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience - Director, Choreographer, Lead Actor (Bunthorne)
Fall Follies: Life of the Party
Lone Elm Room
Matton, IL
08.2019 - 10.2019
- Fall Follies: Life of the Party (Original annual musical revue) - Director, Choreographer, Producer, Set Design, Performer
Ornaments 6 Christmas Stories in One Act
The Alley CAT Theatre
Charleston, IL
09.2018 - 12.2018
- Ornaments: 6 Christmas Stories in 1 Act (Original Christmas musical) - Director, Writer, Choreographer, Producer, Set Design
Tinker, Tailor, Elf, Spy
The Alley CAT Theatre
Charleston, IL
09.2017 - 12.2017
- Tinker, Tailor, Elf, Spy (Original Christmas play) - Director, Writer, Producer, Set Design
Rocky Horror Show
The Alley CAT Theatre
Charleston, IL
07.2016 - 10.2016
- The Rocky Horror Show - Lead Actor (Brad Majors)
Featured Dancer
The Little Theatre on the Square
Sullivan , IL
05.2005 - 07.2005
- 42nd Street - Ensemble (Thief in the tap ballet)
Education
American Musical and Dramatic Academy
New York City01.2007
High School Diploma -
Sullivan High School
Sullivan01.2005
Some College (No Degree) -
Sullivan Dance Studio
Sullivan, ILSkills
- Tap
- Jazz
- Ballet
- Musical Theatre
- Acting
- Improv
- Vocal Performance
- Voice and Speech
- Accents: British
- Accents: Italian
- Accents: French
- Accents: German
- Accents: Russian
- Dance Instruction
- Theatre Production
Build
Slim
Vocalrange
Bari-Tenor
References
- Julia Degler, Mattoon Arts Council Coordinator, 217-273-4793
- Lori Rothrock, Eastern Illinois University, 217-254-7484
- Krishna Thomas, Dancelife Studios/Parkland University, 217-345-7182
Educationskills
American Musical and Dramatic Academy, New York, NY, 09/01/06 - 05/01/07, Trained dance styles: Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre, Trained acting and improv with Maire Jagger Taylor for 6 years, Trained in Vocal, Voice and Speech, and Vocal Performance for Musical Theatre and Italian Opera, Accents: British, Italian, French, German, Russian, Dance instructor at Dance Life Studios/Charleston IL: Beginners Tap, Advanced Tap, Beginners Jazz, Intermediate Jazz, Advanced Jazz, Mattoon Arts Council, Member, 5 years, Developing a 2 Show Theatre Season starting in September through December.
Personal Information
- Hair: Light brown
- Eyes: Blue-green
- Height: 5'6"
Timeline
Frozen Jr- Choreographer
Charleston Middle School
09.2024 - 11.2024
Pearl (A New Musical)- Director, Choreographer
Theatre In the Park
03.2024 - 08.2024
Guys and Dolls Jr- Choreographer
Charleston Middle School
01.2024 - 03.2024
Wind in the Willows
Theatre in the Park
04.2023 - 08.2023
Sunday In the Park With George
Theatre in the Park
04.2022 - 08.2022
The Christmas Gnome (Original Christmas Musical)
Lone Elm Room
10.2021 - 12.2021
Fall Follies: Pure Imagination (Original)
Lone Elm Room
08.2021 - 10.2024
Gillbert and Sullivans Patience
Theatre in the Park
05.2021 - 08.2021
Fall Follies: Life of the Party
Lone Elm Room
08.2019 - 10.2019
Ornaments 6 Christmas Stories in One Act
The Alley CAT Theatre
09.2018 - 12.2018
Tinker, Tailor, Elf, Spy
The Alley CAT Theatre
09.2017 - 12.2017
Rocky Horror Show
The Alley CAT Theatre
07.2016 - 10.2016
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.2009 - Current
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.2008 - Current
Featured Dancer
The Little Theatre on the Square
05.2005 - 07.2005
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.2005 - Current
Actor
Sullivan High School
01.2005 - Current
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.2004 - Current
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.2002 - Current
Actor
The Little Theatre on the Square
01.1999 - Current
American Musical and Dramatic Academy
High School Diploma -
Sullivan High School
Some College (No Degree) -
Sullivan Dance Studio
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